Dentists get bite-sized online tax advice

An online tax guide designed specially for dentists was launched today.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has produced the Tax for Dentists guide, which includes:

• an overview of tax, National Insurance contributions and VAT
• help for the newly-qualified
• information on employing staff
• guidance on keeping business records
• business expenses
• help with completing tax returns
• information on paying HMRC.

HMRC’s Mike Purvis said:

“The e-learning tutorial is available online so that dentists can read it in their own time, when it is convenient. It’s in small sections, so doesn’t need to be read all at once. Dentists can read as little or as much as they like, and return to it as often as they need to, whenever it suits them.

“Dentists need to understand their tax liabilities and will find these guides particularly helpful if they are becoming self-employed or treating private patients for the first time.”

The guidance, which takes between one and two hours to complete, is here.

Marian Wilson, head of HMRC’s Campaigns, said:

“We use what we learn from our campaigns to help develop new educational packages for the groups we target, to make sure people can get it right in the future by not repeating the mistakes made by others.”

More than £10 million in unpaid tax and penalties has been paid voluntarily by over 1,500 medical professionals who used an HMRC campaign disclosure opportunity for dentists and doctors. This included a dentist who paid more than £300,000 and a doctor who paid more than £1 million.

In further help for new and small businesses, HMRC is this week offering a Twitter Q&A on tax. To take part or ask a question, businesses should follow @HMRCgovuk on Twitter and use hashtag #biztaxhelp.

Notes to editors

1. HMRC’s week long Twitter Q&A session will give small businesses and those considering setting up a business the opportunity to ask tax-related questions. HMRC is on hand to offer help and support on a range of issues, including keeping records, VAT registration, National Insurance, starting up a limited company, and PAYE Real Time Information. The Starting in Business week began on 25 February and runs through the week. To take part or ask a question, follow @HMRCgovuk on Twitter and use hashtag #biztaxhelp.

2. Further information on HMRC campaigns can be found here.

3. Some £547 million has been raised by HMRC from voluntary disclosures, and almost £140 million from follow-up activity, including 20,000 completed investigations. HMRC campaigns launched so far have targeted offshore investments, medical professionals, plumbers, VAT defaulters, coaches and tutors, electricians, online traders, and higher rate taxpayers with outstanding tax returns. There are also 13 criminal investigations underway, with five convictions already secured.

4. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk

5. HMRC’s flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk